HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For people living in areas where trains pass through, it can be frustrating to hear the horn at different times of the day. The City of Houston said it developed a Quiet Zone Program to address the noise near neighborhoods.

However, getting those zones approved could take years, according to some councilmembers.

So, what exactly is a Quiet Zone? Union Pacific defined it as a stretch of railroad where trains are not allowed to blow their horns at road crossings. The Federal Railroad Administration oversees Quiet Zones.

Houston Public Works Director Randy Macchi said there are currently 13 Quiet Zones in the city.

For a city to establish one, it must first install additional safety features, like special barriers at intersections. Councilmember Joaquin Martine

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